The relatively small percentage of women in the aviation workplace has captured the attention of U.S. lawmakers, with separate measures offered in the House and Senate to address the issue. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) late last month jointly introduced the Promoting Women in the Aviation Workforce Act of 2017, which urges industry to “explore all opportunities, including pilot training, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, and mentorship programs, to encourage and support female students and aviators to pursue a career in aviation.”

It further directs the FAA to establish a women in aviation board to support organizations and efforts to foster women's careers in aviation. The bill notes that women account for more than 50 percent of the national workforce, “but are significantly underrepresented in the aviation industry.” According to bill language, women represent just 2 percent of airline mechanics, 4 percent of engineers, 5 percent of repairmen, 26 percent of air traffic controllers, 18 percent of flight dispatchers, and 6 percent of pilots.